Boiler servicing

ziggyman99

Pincher wrote: »

http://www.powermax-repairs.co.uk/

"The clever new type of gas valve does not take kindly to being fiddled with by technicians (or users) without the use of a flue gas analyser to measure the effect of the adjustments being made. Carbon monoxide can be produced in vast quantities. This problem perversely combines with the fact that the burner gasket is prone to leakage. A new gasket MUST be used every time the burner is removed for servicing according to Potterton-Baxi technical support. Few service engineers carry these burner gaskets in the van so I suspect few actually get replaced on servicing."

Admittedly, the Replacement section of the Powermax instructions manual only says Annually inspect and replace if worn, so it's NOT their official position that it is MANDATORY.



I WAS going to get one of these:

http://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/potterton-promax-he-90i-floor-standing-storage-boiler-c-w-cylinder-natural-gas/

but then found out the PowerMax was its predecessor.:eek:

My Gas Safe guy warned me it will be more tricky to service, so I ended up with a Megaflo cylinder and a system boiler. Boring but easy and cheap to service.

Yes and if I service a Range Powermax I ALWAYS change the burner gasket. I also take a fan 'O' ring, sump gasket and a set of turbulators, in case there needed. None of this is mandatory though. Range (Potterton) don't phone you up and say you MUST have this done now or else.
The powermax and promax have nothing in common. Even the Potterton Powermax was completely different to the Range Powermax, they just pinched the name. The Range Powermax was a clever idea but badly executed. They are a nightmare to work on and expensive to maintain. I can virtually guarantee i'll end up with bone deep cuts if I have to change the turbulators.

gas4you

You're brave, I would never go near a Range Powermax for any amount of money, unless I'm ripping it out!

macman

Jackofalltradez wrote: »

Depends, usual we charge is £80 pounds,

if the customer has used our service before we charge them £140

Price varies.

Where are you in the country?

In London i would say the average is around 100 + Vat.

:money:

Shurely shome mishtake here?

Pincher

gas4you wrote: »

Vaillant Ecotec have to have the seals replaced at a maximum of every 5 years or whenever the combustion chamber is opened.

I replace every 3 years as I do not believe the combustion chamber should be left visually unchecked for 5 years

I've lived in countries where people die from leaking gas all the time, so I'm quite sensitive to phrases like "room sealed" and "gasket leak".

If you never open the sealed section, then maybe it's OK,
but if you say the expected life of a boiler is ten years, and you have to open the sealed section every couple of years to do gas analysis, then I would pay for the gasket to be replaced, even if the manufacturer doesn't say it.

In one house, the kitchen has a permanent 4 inch air vent. Nominally, it was for the five burner hob, but it is very good backup ventilation, because there were two gas leak incidents in twenty years. One was an old gas valve, which was picked up in annual inspection. The other one was the commissioning engineer didn't close a valve tight enough, and the tenant smelled it.

So, when somebody tries to re-assure me "Don't worry, it's safe, its room sealed." I get nervous.

bengasman

Pincher wrote: »

I've lived in countries where people die from leaking gas all the time, so I'm quite sensitive to phrases like "room sealed" and "gasket leak"...

...So, when somebody tries to re-assure me "Don't worry, it's safe, its room sealed." I get nervous.

You don't die from inhaling natural gas/seagas, it's not toxic. With a very big gasleak the stench may make you nauseous, but that's about it.

Cardew

bengasman wrote: »

You don't die from inhaling natural gas/seagas, it's not toxic. With a very big gasleak the stench may make you nauseous, but that's about it.

You get even more nauseous if you light a cigarette!

ziggyman99

gas4you wrote: »

You're brave, I would never go near a Range Powermax for any amount of money, unless I'm ripping it out!

I love Powermax'.;) A money earner because many people won't touch them. It's me and British Gas around these parts.

Pincher

bengasman wrote: »

You don't die from inhaling natural gas/seagas, it's not toxic. With a very big gasleak the stench may make you nauseous, but that's about it.

In Taiwan, where the majority of people live in high rise blocks, hence sealed apartments, gas related deaths are almost a daily occurrence. It is entirely possible that they lump carbon monoxide poisoning in with gas leaks, but I have to say the news items I've seen usually say gas leak.

Fine, so good old methane is libellously blamed for deaths actually caused by carbon monoxide, which is the real odourless killer. We are also over cautious about gas explosions because we watch too many action movies, and all these gas regulations are just nice to have recommendations.

bengasman

Pincher wrote: »

Fine, so good old methane is libellously blamed for deaths actually caused by carbon monoxide, which is the real odourless killer.

There is no carbon monoxide in natural gas/seagas.
You don't die from inhaling natural gas/seagas; in fact, inhaling it is harmless.
These are just sensationalist stories published by sensationalist "journalists" that don't have the skills to come up with a proper story, and then parroted by the likes of you.

bengasman

Cardew wrote: »

You get even more nauseous if you light a cigarette!

I couldn't make a more irrelevant remark if I tried.